University Wind Ensemble performs 'Lincoln' piece

To cap off the visit to campus by Garry Wills, author of this year's freshman reading project selection Lincoln at Gettysburg, the University Wind Ensemble performed pieces related to the American Civil War last night in the Zellerbach Auditorium. The concert, which celebrated the University Wind Ensemble's 20th anniversary, drew a crowd of 250 people. College senior and Ensemble President Julie Trackman reflected that the songs performed in the show -- including "American Salute" by Morton Gould and "The Union" by Louis Moreau Gottschalk -- related to having pride in the United States. In addition, University President Judith Rodin read Aaron Copland's "Lincoln's Portrait," a "piece about Lincoln's life and the political turmoil that he faced during the Civil War," Trackman added. The concert marked the first time the Wind Ensemble performed in Zellerbach and was a prelude to an international tour next year and the eventual release of their first compact disc recording, Conductor Ricardo Averbach said. The recording is unique, Averbach noted, in the sense that it is a group project between Penn composers and Yale University composers, most likely to appear on the Sony Classics label. Averbach -- who passed up a scholarship to attend Harvard University in order to pursue his music career -- emphasized the importance of providing recognition for the University Wind Ensemble and the arts in general. He added that "the importance of this concert is to showcase our talents for the Penn community and demonstrate the artistic level of our work." Over 10 percent of the students matriculating to Penn every year can play an instrument, Averbach noted. "The Wind Ensemble is one of the most important groups to provide opportunities for this population of students-musicians," he added. Averbach expressed his disappointment with what he sees as a lack of seriousness in the treatment of music as a course of study at Penn. At Penn there is a "misconception" that studying and performing music is simply an extra-curricular activity, Averbach said. "However, frequently our student-musicians spend more time working on their music than in some of their curricular courses," he added. Averbach said that supporting the Ensemble is important for attracting students to a school that is serious about music. "I believe that nowadays universities are cultural centers that have a special mission towards the future of the arts," he said. Averbach also expressed his gratification that Rodin was able to narrate one of the pieces. "With President Rodin as narrator, the group gets a little more visibility and the administration proves a certain interest in our group. "It is a small step, but I am optimistic that with time the performing arts will receive the attention they deserve inside the University," he added. Trackman shared in Averbach's appreciation of Rodin's presence. "We're really excited that Rodin was able to participate in our concert and share in this special event," she said.